TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint dysfunction. It’s a condition of the jaw hinges. Often, the cause is unclear. Still, some things seem to lead to TMJ: habitual clenching of the teeth, chewing gum, biting one’s nails, and stress. While it’s easier to see how physical habits can lead to TMJ, the effects of stress are tougher to quantify than the physical.
Bruxism
Bruxism is the clenching or grinding of teeth. People can do it as a habit, or it can happen unconsciously, such as when people sleep. Stress can cause people to clench their teeth as a response to the negative stimuli present in their lives that cause stress. Bruxism is an oral version of pacing or wringing hands.
San Ramon Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea exacerbates bruxism and vice versa. In some cases, people with sleep apnea develop stress about their condition, which is a so-called “double whammy.” In these cases, if the person gets treatment for sleep apnea, then at least one reason for the person’s TMJ will go away. A sleep apnea dentist can guide you through treatment options.
CPAP
Continuous positive air pressure is the most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. It involves wearing a sealed mask or having nose plugs attached to a machine that provides air under pressure to keep the person’s airway open during sleep.
However, many people don’t tolerate it well. Also, in specific cases, other conditions could make its use contraindicated. In these instances, the person with sleep apnea will need a different treatment option. You may discuss options for treatment of your TMJ or sleep apnea with one of our highly trained doctors in our San Ramon TMJ and Sleep Apnea office.
Oral Appliances
A sleep apnea dentist can recommend various appliances to keep a person’s jaw aligned during sleep and prevent bruxism. This makes these appliances effective in treating both sleep apnea and TMJ. We can help you find the right kind of oral appliance, so contact us today for more information.
Severity
Oral appliances are best for people with mild or moderate sleep apnea and/or bruxism (though they can work in severe cases as well). Your sleep apnea dentist and general practitioner can advise you on the severity of your condition and make well-reasoned recommendations regarding treatment options.
Peace of Mind
Stress results in disquiet of the mind. In some cases, people will develop pains with no apparent physical cause. This applies to cases where stress causes TMJ even if the person doesn’t develop bruxism. If the person also experiences sleep apnea, treating the sleep apnea and/or bruxism will help reduce the stress level. The idea is to help the person sleep better and experience less stress, thereby alleviating the TMJ.
New Developments
Vivos Therapeutics has developed a new line of oral appliances that shows promise in cases of severe sleep apnea. The collective data from several studies indicates a strong correlation between the use of these new devices and the alleviation of sleep apnea, which results in lessening people’s bruxism as well. Just last year, the Food and Drug Administration blessed three of Vivos Therapeutics’s products for treating sleep apnea, including the severe form of the condition.
Conclusion
We are committed to striving to relieve your TMJ. We can help by reducing the effects of sleep apnea on your stress levels, which can also help prevent undue wear on your teeth through bruxism. Contact us today to find out how we, as sleep apnea dentists, can assist you.